Fact or Fiction: Quinn Ewers, Georgia's Starting Quarterback, Sam Hartman

In today’s Fact or Fiction, I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. Quinn Ewers as the Texas starter is a surprise.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

C’mon now. We all knew this would happen. Maalik Murphy wasn’t even mentioned as a potential starter by Steve Sarkisian entering the spring and anyone with any sense knew Arch Manning wasn’t ready to play right away. So Sark naming Ewers the starter after the spring game is no stunner. Ewers did look good, as expected, going 16 for 23 for 195 yards and a score. But even if he struggled, this race was over before it started. There’s no way Sark was going to send Ewers to the transfer portal and roll the dice on Manning who is making the jump from awful high school competition.

Sep 3, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws a pass against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

2. Carson Beck has the clear edge to be UGA’s starting QB.

Farrell’s take: FACT

I thought Brock Vandagriff would be better. But he continues to press a bit and threw a bad interception in the spring game, while Beck continues to play mistake-free football, going 13 for 18 for 211 yards. Beck has come a long, long way from being vastly overrated out of high school, while it seems Vandagriff might not live up to the 5-star hype.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws the ball during the UGA G-Day spring football game at Sanford Stadium in Athens on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

3. Sam Hartman will be the starter for Notre Dame next season.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Marcus Freeman is saying all the right things about Tyler Buchner, and spring football isn’t over until this upcoming weekend for Notre Dame, but let’s be real — Hartman didn’t transfer in to sit. Yes, the ND scheme is new for him, and he’s struggled a bit so far while Buchner knows the system well. And Freeman will play the better QB, I have no doubt. But a guy with Hartman’s overall experience and one of the gems of the portal will win the job. Coaches these days have to play this role. They need to keep QB competitions going as long as possible to prevent players from jumping into the transfer portal, and this is one of those examples. Would Hartman jump back in? Unlikely. Would Buchner if he loses the job? Unlikely as well. But to keep it close makes everyone work harder and be more satisfied.